Download Christianity and Mental Health

James K. Boehnlein, MD
Professor of Psychiatry
Oregon Health and Science University
Associate Director for Education
VA Northwest Network Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center
(MIRECC)
Questions After Trauma
 Unpredictability of life and death
 Loss
 Moral Complexities
Religion Across Cultures
 Explanation of how universe began, how life is
maintained, what happens when life ceases to exist
 Explanation of life’s meaning and rationale for
suffering
 Symbols, beliefs, values
 Relationship between the self and the world
Spirituality
 Bridges religion and science
 Insightful relationship between self and others
 Personal values
 Meaningful purpose for life
 Connectedness between self and the
natural/supernatural
Explanatory Frameworks
Pain, suffering, atonement, forgiveness
 Judaism – Restoration of relationship with God
through atonement
 Christianity – Repentance, forgiveness and rebirth
 Buddhism – Acceptance of suffering; reincarnation
 Islam – Death divinely ordained – impact on
survivor guilt
 Hinduism – Suffering a result of conflict/tension
Core Assumptions Altered by Trauma
 Belief in personal invulnerability
 Perception of an understandable world
 Trust in self and others
Healing After Trauma: Psychotherapeutic
Themes
 Trust
 Grief and mourning
 Security
 Anger and Revenge
 Acceptance
 Control
 Identity and Self-Worth
 Meaning
 Social Connectedness
Barriers to TreatmentBeliefs and Values
 Avoidance
 Pride in self-reliance
 Loss of control/autonomy
 Treatment is for those who are weak, “crazy”
 Provider will not understand or believe trauma
 Societal rejection
Factors in Religious / Spiritual Healing
 Telling the story honestly
 Ending isolation
 Moral inventory
 Forgiveness
 Helping others
 Giving and receiving love
Clinician Reactions
 Sadness
 Anger
 Vulnerability
 Fatigue
 Intolerance of other patients
 Intolerance/avoidance of violence images
 Indifference vs. overinvolvement
Ethical Principles in Treatment
 Creation of trust, predictability
 Cause no harm
 Respect for personal boundaries
 Primacy of reducing suffering and promoting health
 Respect for patient autonomy, independence, and
creativity
 Promotion of justice